Does this comment matter? A number of you have rightly noted that we need to move on when it comes to tolerance and acceptance of the LGBT community (should we really use the term "community?") but consider what is happening in Russia. It is now essentially illegal to be gay, or to even talk publicly about the issues. Many are concerned about what this will mean for the Sochi Olympics. Some are calling for a boycott and moving the venue to Vancouver. Russia is supposedly still a world power and a nation which participates in major economic forums. How could this legislation have developed?
We hear reports from Jamaica and Uganda and Kenya and other countries about persecution, not to mention the persistence of bullying and shaming in Canada and the US. We have hardly arrived at acceptance. To have the leader of the largest Christian denomination extend an olive branch, or at least a twig, does matter.
Did you notice that a conservative Christian women's group here in Canada has criticized John Baird for speaking out against the Russian legislation? It is one of the few statements he has made that I actually support!
Thoughts?
Just read the article about Baird... and I agree with him... I also agree with your question about whether we should even call LGBT a "community" - all people are part of the human community ... and what other people do in the privacy of their bedrooms does NOT hurt me or affect my rights to do what I wish to do - or not do - and is none of my business!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I live in Canada, where legal rights of humans are now respected and protected - now if we could just open the hearts and minds of the closet - and not so hidden - bullies ! (We humans seem to be very "tribal" at times, and we just HAVE to put down someone not quite like us, and ostracize them! Sad)
The Pope's statement was a surprise and may help to soften the attitudes...although the ongoing issue of dealing with sexual abuse by clergy will not be helped - the statement may be interpreted by some as an absolution of priests for their wrong actions against minors, and not just an acceptance of their orientation...
I found myself in a very strange position this morning. For the very first time I agreed with John Baird!! Weird feeling!
ReplyDeleteAs to the Olympics, I always boycott them. To much money wasted on sports, to many people displaced to make the cities they are held in look pretty, to much pomp and ceremony.
and to add to Laurie's post...not to mention the pomp and ceremony for the Pope's visits and $ spent. I do tend to agree with Judy that "the statement may be interpreted by some as an absolution of priests for their wrong actions against minors, and not just an acceptance of their orientation". I have family in Antigonish N.S. and the fallout from the happenings there and the charges laid still haunt that town...olive branch, perhaps...
ReplyDeleteI truly believe that Francis had no ulterior motives for his comment. We need to keep before us that paedophilia and homosexuality are not necessarily related. In fact,in the majority of instances heterosexual males are the perpetrators. Unfortunately I have had colleagues in ministry who were charged with molesting children and they were straight and had families. As horrendous as the conspiracy of silence was in the Roman Catholic church, it was not a cover-up of homosexual priests.
ReplyDeleteI don't know the numbers of male vs femle victims in the Catholic paedophile cover - up, but a LOT of boys were molested /abused by male priests... that being said, I do realize that Francis was not condoning either paedophilia or homosexuality - just saying that he does not judge homosexual priests - I still wonder what, indeed, his motive was for making that statement publicly - (Perhaps there is a change in the official position coming down the pipes?) and I still have concerns that both priests and laity in the Catholic Church could misinterpret the statement - and boy, is Francis going to be on the hot seat if that happens !
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